Team Elmer's Hits Cancer Below the Belt
It's the 4th of the month which means it's time to call your buddy as a reminder to do a self breast exam; it's also time for this month's Buddy Check report.
When you are on a team and you're team member gets knocked down, you help fight back. That's exactly what a northern Michigan business is doing and the effort will benefit the whole community.
Team Elmer's is known for working hard and getting down and dirty to get the job done.
But this past winter they lost one of their team members to colon cancer. Now they are digging in and fighting back.
Team Elmer's has started the "Hit Cancer Below The Belt" campaign which targets colon, prostate, testicular, cervical and ovarian cancers.
Elmer's Marketing Manager Tonya Wildfong says, "We really want to try and get to people to talk about it and talk to their doctor and get screened."
The goal of the campaign is to raise money for the Munson Regional Healthcare Foundation to help people who can't afford screenings, a number that's on the rise.
Julie Friley, MHRF Donor Encouragement Coordinator says, "With so many people unemployed right now the challenges for them to have insurance, adequate insurance is definitely at a peak right now."
But just as important is raising awareness about cancer and encouraging people to take an active role in their health.
Windfong says, "There are things you need to watch out for and these are the screenings you need to get to be able to catch it before it's too late. Our own employee, he had 100% coverage and just didn't know to go get the screening or was uncomfortable talking about it and decided didn't want to do it."
Now Team Elmer's is working to get people to get talking and taking action in an effort to save lives. Because when you are part of a team, that's just what you do, no matter what team you're on.
Friley says, "Community support is basically what keeps this hospital running. We wouldn't be able to do all of the things we do extra for people, the especially the uninsured, if it weren't for our community it's just been a great growth of groups and organizations pulling together to do fundraising events for a lot of different areas."
Wildfong says, "It's a community effort you are part of your community and you're helping your neighbor is helping you and with out that we suffer."
Munson, and Team Elmer’s and the Traverse Health Clinic will be at the Health by the Bay Tent tomorrow at the National Cherry Festival. There you can learn more about Elmer's Hit Cancer Below the Belt campaign. They want you to stop by and see what screenings you need and if you need help, where to get it. Look for them tomorrow at the Open Space in Traverse City.
